Judges 3:7-9

Othniel: A Model Leader

3:7 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They forgot the Lord their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs. 3:8 The Lord was furious with Israel and turned them over to King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram-Naharaim. They were Cushan-Rishathaim’s subjects for eight years. 3:9 When the Israelites cried out for help to the Lord, he raised up a deliverer for the Israelites who rescued them. His name was Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.


tn Heb “in the eyes of the Lord.”

sn The Asherahs were local manifestations of the Canaanite goddess Asherah.

tn Or “The Lord’s anger burned (or raged) against Israel.”

tn Heb “sold them into the hands of.”

tn Or “Cushan the Doubly Wicked.”

tn Or “they served Cushan-Rishathaim.”

tn Heb “the Lord.”

tn Or “delivered.”

tn “Caleb’s younger brother” may refer to Othniel or to Kenaz (in which case Othniel is Caleb’s nephew).